The Dells, Arizona, and Nana and Papa

Our spring has sprung with a bang of fun activities with family and friends. In mid-April we rendezvoused with close friends the Wesolowski's and Connors' and spent a great weekend at Wilderness Resort in the Dells. Ainsley loved the water and loved hanging with her pals and didn't mind my sweet god-daughter Evelyn doting on her 24/7. Ainsley demanded Evvie's attention, and Evvie eagerly obeyed--checking on her in the morning, getting her her food and drink, coaching her on how to play games, gently caressing her cheeks. Way too precious!! The biggest issue of the weekend was trying to explain to a 21 month old why she didn't need a bracelet to get into the water park -- everyone else had one, why didn't she? I eventually cut mine off in the middle of the night because she was fixating on not having one, crying from her pack-n-play. Now we know, when you get wristbands, always get one for Ainsley too.

Just a couple weeks post Dells, we visited my godmother, Lori, and her fantastic husband, Kent, in Scottsdale, AZ. Ainsley was a great traveler -- prefers the freedom and social environment of an airplane to a restrictive car setting. We visited the Phoenix Zoo, played in Lori and Kent's pool, took in the new Musical Instrument Museum (AMAZING!), and Scott enjoyed various links across the dessert with Kent. Ainsley bonded with Lori and Kent's sweet Golden Retriever Addie, and the two were very entertaining. Turns out a toddler and 4 year old Golden have a lot in common -- wrestle with many of the same dangerous curiosities, though Addie exercised a bit more discipline than Ainsley most days. Ainsley enjoyed splashing water on Addie and pretend-sleeping on her cot and doggy bed. Lori also taught Ainsley how to get Addie's food ready in the morning -- a ritual that Ainsley really enjoyed. The rocks and sand of the dessert spoke to Ainsley and she spent lots of focused time, picking up rocks in Lori's backyard, dumping them in various cups and canisters, and running her hand through patches of sand around their house, at the zoo, and in the local park. She was in heaven!

On May 1st, Scott's 39th b-day, we flew home and that night Scott picked his parents up at the airport. Ainsley was out of her mind -- first a week with Lori and Kent, and then quality time with Nana and Papa. Kathy and Jerry spent a couple days in Peru with Barb and her kids, took in Starved Rock and swam at the hotel. When they returned to Oak Park, we spent time in the back yard, enjoying the weather, Jerry helped install our new microwave (thanks, Jer!), and we visited the cemetery, the new Caputo's market (Nice!), and got out for a great meal at Maya Del Sol to celebrate Scott's b-day and MBA. Ainsley enjoyed playing Rhino for her grandparents and jumping on the air-mattress (I think she got her rhino impression from Michelle and Benjamin...She puts her hands on the side of her head and yells "Rhino, Rhino, Rhino" then shows where a Rhino's horn is located and goes "honk").

Now we have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend to look forward to, with my mom coming in to visit with us. Life is good, indeed.